Multiple position reclining chair



p 1965 F. F. SCHLIEPHACKE 3.

MULTIPLE POSITION RECLINING' CHAIR Filed Dec. 14, 1962 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR.

FQ/bT/OF F- 5062 /'PHA67 arrmQ/vey;

Sept. 21, 1965 F, F. SCHLIEPHACKE 3,207,553

MULTIPLE POSITION RECLINING CHAIR Filed Dec. 14, 1962 s Sheets-Sheet 2 W FIG. 4.

I I U #2 A! //l INVENTOR.

FQ/QTJOF a saw /PA44C.(/

BY Mp b6? P 1965 F. F. SCHLIEPHACKE 3,207,553

MULTIPLE POSITION nmcumne 01mm Filed Dec. 14, 1962 3 Sheets-Sheet 3' FIG. 7.

FIG. 8.

FIG. 9.

; INVENTOR.

BY Mvfiy Arron/vay:

United States Patent Ofl ice 3,207,553 Patented Sept. 21, 1965 3,207,553 MULTIPLE POSITION RECLINING CHAIR Fridtjof F. Schliephacke, Berlin-Schmargendorf, Germany, assignor to Anton Lorenz, Boynton Beach, Fla. Filed Dec. 14, 1962, Ser. No. 244,705 6 Claims. (Cl. 297-88) The present invention relates to improvements in reclining chairs and in particular to a novel and improved seat control arrangement and leg-rest control arrangement for reclining chairs of the multiple position type.

In multiple position reclining chairs, the body-supporting structure formed by the seat and back-rest is movable from an upright sitting position through at least two motion phases to an intermediate, tilted sitting position and then to a reclining or full-tilted position. A leg-rest is also provided with control means to move the leg rest from a retracted position beneath the seat to an extended position forwardly of the seat in response to movement of the body-supporting structure from the upright sitting position to the intermediate, tilted sitting position. Thus, in the latter position, while the occupants body is still substantially upright but slightly tilted and is properly disposed for reading, viewing television or the like, the occupants legs are comfortably supported in outstretched condition by the extended leg-rest. The leg-rest control means are also adapted to maintain the leg-rest in extended position relative to the seat when the body-supporting structure is moved through the second motion phase to the reclining position.

In many multiple position reclining chairs, the legr=est control arrangement is entirely independent of the arrangement which controls the movement of the bodysupporting structure. This renders it difiicult to properly coordinate the movements of the leg-rest in the various motion phases in such a manner that the leg-rest is properly positioned throughout the second motion phase and especially at the reclining or fully-tilted position. In the latter position, it is essential that the leg-rest be not overextended to a position past a horizontal attiude, and at the same time that it be elevated far enough to comfortably support the occupants out-stretched legs.

An object of the present invention is to provide in a multiple position reclining chair novel control means for the body-supporting structure, the control means being in the nature of a four-bar linkage supporting the forward portion of the seat and being immovable during the first motion phase to act as a fixed portion of the support frame and movable during the second motion phase to permit the body-supporting structure to turn about different centers of rotation in both motion phases, the four bar linkage being also connected to the linkage mounting the leg-rest for actuating of the leg-rest during both motion ph ases.

Another object of the invention is to provide a multiple position reclining chair incorporating control means in the nature of a four-bar linkage, of the character described, in which the lengths of the links may be selectively varied to adjust the movement of the leg-rest relative to the seat in the various motion phases, in such a manner that the elevated leg-rest, during the second motion phase, can be made to extend further upwardly and forwardly relative to the seat, or to remain at the same extended position relative to the seat, or to move downwardly relative to the seat.

In accordance with the invention there is provided a multiple position reclining chair in which a body-supporting structure is mounted on a support frame by front and rear guide links. The rear guide link is mounted directly on the support frame while the front guide link is mounted on a four-bar linkage which includes as movable links first and second carrier links pivotally mounted at spaced points on the support frame and an intermediate link pivotally connected between the free ends of the carrier links and facing the leg-rest in the upright sitting position. The four-bar linkage is arranged to rest immovably on the support frame during the first motion phase while the front guide link turns thereon, and the body-supporting structure is moved rearwardly by both guide links to the intermediate position. In the second motion phase, the rear guide link is blocked from further rearward movement, the four-bar linkage moves upwardly from its support position, and the body-supporting structure turns about its pivotal connection with the stationary rear guide link. The chair also includes a legrest and a linkage mounting the leg-rest for movement between a retracted position beneath the seat and an extended position forwardly of the seat. The leg-rest linkage is actuated by an actuating link connected to the intermediate link of the four-bar linkage. During the second motion phase, the intermediate link is turned so that one end moves forwardly relative to the other end as it is raised by the carrier links to adjust the position of the leg-rest relative to the seat and maintain the leg-rest in proper leg-supporting position.

Additional objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent during the course of the following specification when taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a side elevational view, with parts broken away and shown in section, of a reclining chair incorporating the seat control and leg-rest control arrangements of the present invention, the chair being shown in an upright sitting position;

FIG. 2 is a side elevational view similar to FIG. 1, but showing the chair in an intermediate, tilted sitting position;

FIG. 3 is a side elevational view similar to FIGS. 1 and 2, but showing the chair in a fully-tilted or reclined position;

FIG. 4 is a side elevational view, with portions broken away and shown in section, of a reclining chair incorporating a modified type of control arrangement made in accordance with the invention, the chair being shown in its upright sitting position;

FIG. 5 is a side elevational view similar to FIG. 4, but showing the chair in its intermediate, tilted sitting position;

FIG. 6 is a side elevational view similar to FIGS. 4 and 5, but showing the chair in its fully-tilted or reclined position;

FIG. 7 is a side elevational view, with portions broken away and shown in section, of la reclining chair incorporating a further modification in the control arrangement of the invention, the chair being shown in its upright sitting position;

FIG. 8 is a side elevational view similar to FIG. 7, but showing the chair in its intermediate, tilted sitting position; and

FIG. 9 is a side elevational view similar to FIGS. 7 and d, but showing the chair in its fully tilted or reclined position.

Referring now in detail to the drawings, and in particular to FIGS. 13, there is shown a reclining chair incorporating the invention herein and designated generally by the reference numeral 10. The structure of chair 10 includes a support frame generally designated by reference numeral 12 and having opposed side walls 14 and 16 interconnected by suitable cross-braces 18, 20 and 22. The chair 10 also includes a body-supporting structure generally designated by the reference numeral 24 and including a seat 26 and a back-rest 28 formed integrally as a rigid unit. The body-supporting structure 24 is mounted on the support frame 12 by a front guide link 30 and a rear guide link 32 for movement from the upright sitting position of FIG. 1 to the intermediate, tilted sitting position shown in FIG. 2 and then to the fully-tilted position shown in FIG. 3.

At its lower end, the rear guide link 32 has a fixed pivotal mount 36 on the support frame 12, and at its upper end is connected by pivot 38 to the rear portion of the seat 26. The front guide link 30 is connected by pivot 40 to the seat 26 at a point spaced forwardly of the pivotal connection 38. The lower end of the front guide link 30 is mounted on a four-bar linkage which includes a first carrier link 42, a second carrier link 44, and an intermediate link 46. The rear end of the first carrier link 42 is mounted by pivot 48 on the support frame 12 and the forward end thereof is connected by a pivot 50 to the lower end of the intermediate link 46. The rear end of the second carrier link 44 is mounted by pivot 52 on the support frame at a point spaced above and rearwardly of the pivotal mount 48. The forward end of the second carrier link 44 is connected by pivot 54 to the intermediate link 46 at a point above the pivot 50. In the upright sitting-position of FIG. 1, both carrier links 42 and 44 extend forwardly from their respective pivotal mounts 48 and 52, with the second carrier link 44 overlying the first carrier link 42 and being spaced thereabove, and with the intermediate link 46 facing forwardly toward the front of the chair.

As was previously indicated, the first carrier link 42, second carrier link 44, and intermediate link 46 serve as three movable links of a four-bar supporting linkage which includes, as the stationary link thereof, the portion of'the support frame 12 between the fixed pivots 48 and 52. The front guide link 30 is mounted on this four-bar linkage; being connected, for example in the embodiment of FIGS. 1-3, to the second carrier link 44 by pivot 56. I

The second carrier link 44 carries a fixed stop 34 which engages the front guide link 30 in the upright sitting position of FIG. 1 and prevents the body-supporting unit 24 from moving forwardly from this position under the body weight of the occupant.

The chair also includes a leg-rest 60 and a leg-rest mounting linkage generally designated by reference numeral 62 which is adapted to guide the leg-rest between a retracted position beneath the seat to an elevated legsupporting position forwardly of the seat in response to movement of the body-supporting structure 24. This legrest mounting linkage 62 may be of any conventional type, but for purposes of illustration, is shown as a double-four-bar or lazy tong type of linkage Specifically, the leg-rest mounting linkage 62 includes a first pair of mounting links 64 and 66 having a pivotal connection 68 at their adjacent ends and a second pairof mounting links 70 and 72 having a pivotal connection 74 at their adjacent ends. The mounting link 64 has a pivotal mount 76 at its upper end on the seat 26, while the mounting link 70 has a pivotal mount 78 on the seat 26, which is spaced rearwardly from the pivotal mount 76. Intermediate its ends, the mounting link 64 crosses over the mounting link 72 and has a pivotal connection 80 thereto at the crossing over point. The mounting link 66 has a pivotal connection 82 at its forward end to the leg-rest 60, while the mounting link 72 has a pivotal connection 84 at its forward end to the leg-rest 60, at a point spaced from the pivotal connection 82.

Actuating means are provided for elevating the legrest 60 during the first motion phase from the retracted position shown in FIG. 1 to the extended leg-supporting position shown in FIG. 2. Such actuating means includes an upstanding extension 86 of the intermediate link 46 extending beyond the pivot 54, and an actuating link 88 connected to said extension 86 by a pivot 90. The opposite end of the actuating link 88 is connected by pivot 92 to the leg-rest mounting link 70 at a point spaced below the pivotal mount 78 of said link 70.

In the upright sitting position of FIG. 1, the first carrier link 42 rests upon the cross-bar 18 in a substantially horizontal position, so that the four-bar linkage formed by the carrier links 42,44 and the intermediate link 46 serve as a fixed and immovable portion of the support frame. The rear guide link 32 extends vertically upward from its pivotal mount 36, and the front guide link 30 extends upwardly and forwardly from its pivotal mount 56 toward the seat 26. i The body-supporting unit 24 is therefore supported in a level sitting positon. The leg-rest mounting links 64 and 70 extend downwardly from their respective pivotal mounts 76 and 78 on the seat 26, thereby positioning the leg-rest 60 in its retracted position in which it is substantially vertically disposed beneath the forward end portion of the seat 26. The leg-rest'actuating link 88 extends forwardly and slightly downwardly from the intermediate link extension 86 to the mounting link 70.

When the occupants of the chair in the upright sitting position'of FIG. 1 wishes to assume a more comfortable sitting position with his legs supported in outstretched condition, he applies rearward pressure against the bodysupporting structure 24. The body-supporting structure then moves rearwardly through a first motion phase, guided by the front guide link 30 and rear guide link 32. During this first motion phase, the first carrier link 42 remains resting upon the cross-bar 18, and the four-bar linkage formed by carrier links 42, 44 and the intermediate link 46 remains stationary and serves. as a fixed portion of the support frame. The front guide link 30 turns rearwardly and upwardly about 'its pivotal mount 56 upon this stationary four-bar linkage, to guide the forward portion of the seat 26 rearwardly and also to elevate the same slightly. At the same time, the rear guide link 32 turns rearwardly and downwardly upon its pivotal mount 36 on the support frame 12 to guide the rear portion of the seat 26 rearwardly and also to lower it slightly. Thus, in the intermediate, tilted sitting position of FIG. 2, the body-supporting structure 24 has moved rearwardly from its position of FIG. 1 and has also been slightly tilted, although it is still in a substantially sitting position whereby the occupants body is still upright but slightly tilted, and is properly disposed for viewing television, reading, or the like.

During the first motion phase, the leg-rest 60 and the leg-rest mounting linkage 62 are carried rearwardly with the-forward portion of the seat through the pivotal mounts 76 and 78, relative to the support frame 12 and the stationary intermediate link 46. Since the actuating. link 88 is pivotally mounted on the extension 86 of this stationary intermediate link 46, said actuating link 88 exerts a pushing force at point 92 against the leg-rest mounting link 70, thereby expending the leg-rest mounting linkage 62 and moving the leg-rest 60 to its extended, leg-supporting position of FIG. 2.. In this position, the leg-rest 60 is located forwardly of the front end of the seat 26 and is substantially at the level thereof, in proper position to comfortably support the outstretched legs of the occupant. In actuating the leg-rest mounting linkage 62,'the. actuating link 88 turns upwardly about its pivotal mount 90, as can be seen from a comparison of FIG. 1 and FIG. 2. It will be appreciated that during this first motion phase, the

pivotal mount 90 of the actuating link 88 serves as a fixed pivot relative to the support frame 12.

The intermediate, tilted sitting position of FIG. 2 is determined by engagement of the rear guide link 32 with the cross-bar 20. This halts further simultaneous rearward pivoting movement of the guide links 30 and 32, and constrains further movement of the body-supporting structure 24 to a single pivoting movement about another center of rotation through a second motion phase, in a manner to be presently described.

When the occupant of the chair wishes to assume a more comfortable position for optimum relaxation, he applies further rearward pressure against the body-supporting structure 24. Since the rear guide link 32 is now restrained from further rearward turning movement by its engagement with the cross-bar 20, further rearward movement of the body-supporting structure 24 is now limited to turning movement about its pivotal connection 38 with the stationary rear guide link 32. During this second motion phase, the forward portion of the seat 26 is elevated, carrying upwardly with it the front guide link 30, which in turn raises the second carrier link 44 and thus the four-bar linkage formed by the carrier links 42, 44 and the intermediate link 46. Thus, the first carrier link 42 is lifted from its supported position on the cross-bar 18 :and turns upwardly about its pivotal mount 48. Since the second carrier link 44 has a greater length than the first carrier link 42, the free end of the former travels through a greater are than the free end of the first carrier link 42 so that the pivot 54 moves a greater distance away from the pivotal mount 48 than does the pivot 50. This results in the link 42 pulling rearwardly on intermediate link 46 at pivot 50, with the result that, as link 46 is elevated by the four-bar linkage, it is turned about pivot 54 in a counter-clockwise direction with its lower end moving rearwardly and its upper end moving forwardly. Consequently, its top pivot 90 at the end of extension 86 moves in an upward direction following the turning movement of the body-supporting structure and is also moved forwardly away from the pivotal mount 48.

The elevating movement of the four-bar linkage raises the leg-rest linkage through the actuating link 88, but not in itself to the extent necessary to cause the leg-rest linkage to keep up with the upward movement of the front of the seat. Hence, the movement of the leg-rest linkage would tend to lag behind the seat movement in the second motion phase with the result that the leg-rest would move downwardly relative to the forward end of the seat in the fully reclined position. The forward movement of the upper end of intermediate link 4-6, however, compensates for this lag in leg-rest movement. The counter-clockwise turning movement of the intermediate link 46 provides an additional forward movement to the actuating link 88 which elevates the leg-rest mounting linkage 62 to the same extent as the forward end of the seat 26. Thus, in the fully-tilted or reclined position of FIG. 3, the leg-rest 60 is located at the same level relative to the forward end of the seat, and at the same angle relative to the seat, as it is in the intermediate, tilted sitting position of FIG. 2.

The arrangement of the four bar linkage in the embodiment of FIGS. 1-3 is shown by way of example only to illustrate such disposition of the links 42, 44 and 46 as to provide absence of movement of the leg-rest 60 relative to the seat 26 during the second motion phase. In certain instances, however, it may be desirable to have the extended leg-rest at a higher or a lower level relative to the seat in the fully-reclined position than it was in the intermediate, tilted sitting position, for purposes of maximum comfort to conform to the particular chair construction. A feature of the invention herein is that the extended position of the leg-rest relative to the seat in the fully reclined position can be selectively adjusted by selected variation of the four-bar linkage. For example, the relative lengths of the first carrier link 42, and the second carrier link 44 will determine the degree of rotation of the intermediate link 46 about its pivotal connection 54 with the carrier link 44, and consequently the degree of adjusted elevation of the leg-rest during the second motion phase. If the first carrier link 42 were made shorter, the intermediate link 46 would be turned through a greater angle, and the leg-rest 60 would therefore be elevated to a greater extent relative to the seat than is shown in FIG. 3.

The end of the second motion phase is established by engagement of the rear portion of the body-supporting structure 24 with the cross brace 22, the structure 24 being then disposed in the fully-tilted position of FIG. 3. To

return to the intermediate position of FIG. 2, it is only necessary for the occupant to shift his weight forwardly. To return from the intermediate position to the upright sitting position of FIG. 1, the occupant exerts downward pressure upon the leg-rest and urges his weight further forwardly by grasping the side frames 14 and 16.

Referring now specifically to FIGS. 4 through 6, there is shown a reclining chair incorporating a modified form of control mechanism made in accordance with the invention herein and designated generally by the reference numeral 110. The chair again includes a support frame 112 having opposed side walls 114 and 116 interconnected by suitable cross-braces 118, 120, and 122, and a body-supporting structure 124 including an integrallyformed seat 126 and back-rest 128. The body-supporting structure 124 is mounted on the support frame 112 by a front guide link 130 and a rear guide link 132 for movement from the upright sitting position of FIG. 4 to the intermediate, tilted sitting position shown in FIG. 5 and then to the fully-tilted position shown in FIG. 6.

The rear guide link 132 is again provided with a fixed pivotal mount 136 on the support frame 112, and a pivotal connection 138 to the rear portion of the seat 126. The front guide link 130 is connected by pivot 140 to the seat 126 at a point spaced forwardly of the pivotal connection 138. A four-bar linkage is again provided for su orting the front guide link 130, this four-bar linkage again including a first carrier link 142, a second carrier link 144, and an intermediate link 146. The rear end of the first carrier link 142 is mounted by pivot 148 on the support frame 112 and the forward end thereof is connected by a pivot 150 to the lower end of the intermediate link 146. The rear end of the second carrier link 144 is mounted by pivot 152 on the support frame at a point spaced above and rearwardly of the pivotal mount 148. The intermediate link 146 in this instance does not have an extension portion as in the embodiment of FIGS. 1 to 3, and the forward end of the second carrier link 144 is connected by pivot 154 to the upper end of said intermediate link 146. The carrier links 142 and 144 are similar in construction and arrangement to those shown in the previous embodiment of FIGS. 13, and in the upright sitting position of FIG. 4, both carrier links 142 and 144 extend forwardly and substantially horizontally from their respective pivotal mounts 148 and 152. A stop member 134, mounted on the support frame 112 engages the rear guide link 132 in the upright sitting position of FIG. 4 to prevent forward movement of the body-supporting unit 124 under the weight of the occupants body.

The first carrier link 142, second carrier link 144, and intermediate link 146 again serve as three movable links of a four-bar supporting linkage, with the stationary link thereof constituting the portion of the support frame 112 between the fixed pivots 148 and 152. The front guide link 130 is again carried by this four-bar linkage, but in this embodiment it is pivotally connected by pivot 194 to an intermediate point on the intermediate link 146.

The chair 110 again includes a leg-rest carried by a leg-rest mounting linkage 162 for movement between the retracted position of FIG. 4 and the extended positions of FIGS. 5 and 6. The leg-rest mounting linkage 162 is similar to that shown in FIGS. l-3, and includes a first pair of mounting links 164 and 166 having a pivotal connection 168 at their adjacent ends and a second pair of mounting links 170 and 172 having a pivotal connection 174 at their adjacent ends. The upper ends of mounting links 164 and 170 are respectively mounted by pivots 176 and 178 at spaced points on the seat 126. Intermediate their ends, the mounting links 164 and 172 cross each other and are connected by pivot 180 at their crossing-over point. The mounting links 166 and 172 are connected to spaced points on leg-rest 160 by respective pivots 182 and 184.

. Means are again provided for actuating the leg-rest mounting linkage 162 in such a manner as to elevate the leg-restv 160 during'the first motion phase from the retracted position shown in FIG. 4 to the extended legsupporting position shown in FIG. 5. Such actuating means comprises an actuating link 188 connected at one end by pivot 192 to the mounting link 170, and connected at its other end to an intermediate point on intermediatelink 146. This connection of the actuating link 188 to the intermediate link 146 may be at pivot 194, concentrically with the pivotal connection of the front guide link 130 with said intermediate link.- Preferably, however, the connection is made by a separate pivot 196 between pivots 194 and 154.

In the upright sitting position of FIG. 4, the first carrier link 142' again rests upon the cross-bar 118 so that the four-bar linkage formed by the carrier links 142, 144 and the intermediate link 146 serve as a fixed and immovable portion of the support frame. The rear guide link 132 is upstanding from its pivotal mount 136, and the front guide link 130 extends upwardly and forwardly from its pivotal mount 194 toward the seat 126. The leg-rest actuating link 188 in this instance extends forwardly and upwardly from the intermediate link 146 to the mounting link 170, and the leg-rest 160 is supported by the leg-rest linkage 162 in a retracted position beneath the forward portion of seat 126.

When the occupant of the chair in the upright sitting position of FIG. 4 applies rearward pressure against the body-supporting structure 124, the body-supporting structure moves rearwardly through a first motion phase, guided by the rear guide link 132 and front guide link 130, the latter turning about its pivotal mount 194 on the intermediate link 146. During this first motion phase, the intermediate link 146 remains stationary and serves as a fixed portion of the support frame, so, that the pivotal mount 194 of the front guide link 130 is a fixed pivot relative to the support frame. In the intermediate, tilted position of FIG. 5, the body-supporting structure 124 has moved rearwardly from its position of FIG. 4 and has also been slightly tilted by action of the guide links 130 and 132, although it is still in a substantially sitting position with the occupants body supported in upright condition and properly disposed for viewing television,

reading, or the like.

During the first motion phase, the leg-rest 160 and the leg-rest mounting linkage 162 are carried rearwardly with the forward portion of the seat through the pivotal mounts 176 and 178, relative to the stationary intermediate link 146. The actuating link 188 thus exerts a pushing force at point 192 against the leg-rest mounting link 170, thereby elevating the leg-rest 160 to its extended, leg-supporting position of FIG. 5. In this position, the leg-rest 160 is located forwardly of the front end of the seat 126 and is substantially at the level thereof, in proper position to comfortably support the outstretched legs of the occupant. In actuating the leg-rest mounting linkage 162, the actuating link 1'88 turns upwardly about its pivotal mount 196, the latter, during this first motion phase, serving as a fixed pivot relative to the support frame 112.

The intermediate, tilted sitting position of FIG. 5 is determined by engagement of the rear guide link 132 with the cross-bar 120, the latter halting further simultaneous rearward pivoting movement of the guide links 130 and 132.

When the occupant of the chair applies further rearward pressure against the body-supporting structure 124, the rear guide link 132 is restrained from further rearward turning movement by its engagement with the crossbar 120, and further rearward movement of the body-supporting structure 124 is limited to turning movement about its pivotal connection 138 with the stationary rear guide link 132. During. this second motion phase, the forward portion of the seat126 is elevated, carrying upwardly with it-the front guide link -which in turn raises the intermediate link 146, which is guided upwardly by the carrier links 142 and 144, said carrier links turning about their respective pivotal mounts 148 and 152. Since the second carrier link 144 has a greater length than the first carrier link 142, the free end of the former travels through a greater arc than the free end of the first carrier link 142 so that the pivot 154 moves a greater distance awayfrom .the pivotal mount 148 than does the pivot 150. Thus, as the intermediate link 146 is lifted, it is also turned in a counter-clockwise direction relative to the body-supporting structure 124, the lower end of link 146 being moved slightly rearwardly, and its upper end carrying the pivotal mount 196 of actuating link 188 moving a short distance in a forward direction. However, since the actuating link 188 is mounted by pivot 196 on the central portion of the intermediate link 146, close to the pivot 194 about which said link 146 turns, the turning movement of the link 146 provides" only a very slight forward movement to the actuating link 188 as the latter is elevated by the four-bar linkage. This slight forward movement is not sufficient to permit the actuating link 188 to keep up with the movement of the leg-rest mounting linkage 162 which is elevated by the forward end of seat 126. Consequently, the actuating link 188 in effect pulls rearwardly on the leg-rest mounting linkage 162 during the second motion phase. As a result, the leg-rest 168, in the fully reclined position of FIG. 6, is disposed at a lower level relative to the forward end of seat 126 than it assumed in the intermediate, tilted sitting position of FIG. 5.

The fully tilted position of FIG. 6 is reached when the rear portion of the body-supporting structure 124 engages and is stopped by the cross-brace 122. To return to the upright sitting position of FIG. 4, the occupant shifts his weight forwardly to bring the body-supporting structure to the intermediate position, and then applies downward pressure on the leg-rest to return the structure to the upright sitting position.

FIGS. 7 through 9 illustrate another reclining chair 210 having a modified form of structure made in accordance with the invention herein. The chair 210 includes a support frame 212 having opposed side Walls 214 and 216 interconnected by suitable cross-braces 218, 220, and 222. The body-supporting structure 224 of chair 210 includes a seat 226 anda back-rest 228 formed integrally with each other to provide a rigid unit. The body-supporting structure 224 is mounted on the support frame 212 by front guide link 230 and a rear guide link 232 for movement from the upright sitting position of FIG. 7 to the intermediate, tilted sitting position of FIG. 8 and then to the fully-tilted position of FIG. 9.

The rear guide link 232 is mounted by pivot 236 on the support frame 212, and is connected by pivot 238 to the rear portion of the seat 226. The front guide link 230 is connected by pivot 240 on the seat 226 at a point spaced forwardly of the pivotal connection 238. The lower end of the front guide link 230 is mounted by pivot 256 on the intermediate portion of a first carrier link 242 which forms a portion of a four-bar linkage together with a second carrier link 244, and an intermediate link 246. The rear ends of the carrier. links 242 and 244 are respectively mounted by pivots 248 and 252 at spaced points on the support frame 212. The forward end of the first carrier link 242 is connected by a pivot 250 to the intermediate link 246. The forward end of the second carrier link 244 is connected by pivot 254 to the upper end of intermediate link 246. In the upright sitting position of FIG. 7, both carrier links 242 and 244 extend forwardly from their respective pivotal mounts 248 and 252, with the second carrier link 244 being spaced above the first carrier link 242. A stop 234 on the first carrier link 242 engages the front guide link 230 in the upright sitting positionof FIG. 7 and prevents the body-supporting unit 224 from moving forwardly under the body weight of the occupant.

The chair 210 also includes a leg-rest 260 and a legrest mounting linkage 262 for guiding the leg-rest between a retracted position beneath the seat to an elevated leg-supporting position forwardly of the seat in response to movement of the body-supporting structure 224. The leg-rest mounting linkage 262 is similar to those previously described and includes a first pair of mounting links 264 and 266 connected at their adjacent ends by pivot 268, and a second pair of mounting links 270 and 272 having a pivotal connection 274 at their adjacent ends. The mounting links 264 and 270 are mounted by respective pivots 276 and 278 at spaced points on the seat 226. The mounting link 264 crosses over the mounting link 272 and has a pivotal connection 280 thereto at the crossing-over point. The mounting links 266 and 272 are connected to spaced points on the leg-rest 260 by respective pivots 282 and 284.

Actuating means are provided for elevating the legrest 260 during the first motion phase from the retracted positions shown in FIG. 7 to the extended leg-supporting position shown in FIG. 8. Such actuating means include an extension 286 of the intermediate link 246 extending below the pivot 250, and an actuating link 288 connected to said extension 286 by pivot 290. The forward end of the actuating link 288 is connected by pivot 292 to the leg-rest mounting link 270 at a point spaced below the pivotal mount 278 of said link 270.

In the upright sitting position of FIG. 7, the second carrier link 244 rests upon an angle bracket 298 rigidly connected to the support frame 212 in a substantially horizontal position, so that the four-bar linkage formed by carrier links 242, 244 .and intermediate link 246 serves as a fixed and immovable portion of the support frame. The rear guide link 232 extends vertically upward fro-m its pivotal mount 236, and the front guide link 230 extends upwardly and forwardly from its pivotal mount 256 toward its pivotal connection 240 with the seat 226. The leg-rest mounting links 264 and 270 extend downwardly from their respective pivotal mounts 276 and 278 on the seat 226, thereby positioning the leg-rest 260 in its retracted position beneath the forward end portion of the seat 226. The leg-rest actuating link 288 extends forwardly and slightly downwardly from the intermediate link extension 286 toward the mounting link 270.

When the occupant of the chair in the upright sitting position of FIG. 7 applies rearward pressure against the body-supporting structure 224, the latter moves rearwardly through the first motion phase, guided by the front guide link 230 and rear guide link 232. During this first motion phase the second carrier link 244 remains resting upon the bracket 298, and the four-bar linkage formed by carrier links 242 and 244 and the intermediate link 246 remains stationary and serves as a fixed portion of the support frame. The front guide link 230 turns rearwardly and upwardly about its pivotal mount 256 upon this fourbar linkage, to guide the forward portion of the seat 226 rearwardly and also to elevate the same slight-1y. At the same time, the rear guide link 232 turns rearwardly and downwardly upon its pivotal mount 236 on the support frame 212 to guide the rear portion of the seat 226 rearwardly and also to lower it slightly. The first phase of movement continues until the intermediate, tilted sitting position of FIG. 8 is reached, wherein the occupants body is still upright and is properly disposed for viewing television, reading, or the like.

During the first mot-ion phase, the leg-rest 260 and the leg-rest mounting linkage 262 is carried rearwardly with the forward portion of the seat through the pivotal mounts 276 and 278, relative to the stationary intermediate link 246. The actuating link 288 exerts a pushing force at point 292 against the leg-rest mounting link 270 and thereby moves the leg-rest 260 to its extended, leg-supporting position of FIG. 8. In this position, the leg-rest 260 is located forwardly of the front end of the seat 226 and is substantially at the level thereof, in proper position to comfortably support the outstretched legs of the occupant.

The intermediate, tilted sitting position of FIG. 8 is determined by engagement of the rear guide link 232 with the cross-bar 220. This halts further simultaneous rearward pivoting movement of the guide links 230 and 232, and constrains further movement of the body-supporting structure 224 to a turning movement about pivot 238 in the second motion phase.

When the occupant of the chair 210 in the intermediate position of FIG. 8 applies further rearward pressure against the body-supporting structure 224, the latter moves in the second motion phase. The rear guide link 232 is restrained from further rearward turning movement by its engagement with the cross-bar 220, and further rearward movement of the body-supporting structure 224 is now limited to turning movement about its pivotal connection 238 with the stationary rear guide link 232. During this second motion phase, the forward portion of the seat 226 is elevated, carrying upwardly with it the front guide link 230 which in turn raises the first carrier link 242 and thus the four-bar linkage formed by the carrier links 242, 244 and the intermediate link 246. The second carrier link 244 is therefore lifted from its supported position on the bracket 298 and turns upwardly about its pivotal rnount 252.

As in the previous embodiments, the first carrier link 242 is shorter than the second carrier link 244. Consequently, the intermediate link 246 is turned in a counterclockwise direction, as viewed in FIGS. 8 and 9. However, since in this instance the actuating link 288 is connected to a bottom, depending extension 286 of the intermediate link 246, which extension moves rearwardly, the actuating link 288 is moved rearwardly during the second motion phase. As a result, the leg-rest 260 is adjusted downwardly during the second motion phase. In the fully-tilted or reclined position of FIG. 9, therefore, the leg-rest is located at a lower level relative to the front end of seat 226 than it assumed in the intermediate, tilted sitting position of FIG. 8.

Again, as in the previous embodiments, other adjusted positions of the leg-rest can be achieved by selective mounting of the actuating link 288 along the intermediate link 246.

While preferred embodiments of the invention have been shown and described herein, it is obvious that numerous additions, changes and omissions may be made in such embodiments without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

What I claim is:

1. A multiple position reclining chair comprising a support frame, a body-supporting structure including a seat and "back-rest mounted for movement through a first motion phase from an upright sitting position to an intermediate, tilted sitting position and through a second motion phase to a fully reclined position, a pair of spaced control links extend-ing forwardly of said chair and pivotally mounted at their rear ends at spaced points on the support frame, an intermediate link extending between and pivotally connected to the forward ends of said control links, the first of said control links being located above the second control link, the first control link being longer than the second control link to impart a controlling movement to said intermediate link in which the upper end thereof moves forwardly and the lower end moves rearwardly, said intermediate link and control links constituting a four-bar linkage, means supporting said four bar linkage in a stationary position during the first motion phase, a pair of guide links pivotally connected to spaced points on the seat, the front guide link being pivotally mounted on the four-bar linkage and the rear guide link being pivotally mounted on the support frame, a leg-rest, a leg-rest linkage carrying said leg-rest and pivotally mounted on the forward end of the seat, and an actuating link pivotally connected to said intermediate link and to said leg-rest linkage, said leg-rest linkage being movable rearwardly with said seat and relative to the stationary four-bar linkage during the first motion phase to move said leg-rest'to an extended position forwardly of said seat, said seat turning upwardly about said rear guide link during the second motion phase and carrying upwardly said front guide link to cause upward turning movement of said control links about their pivotal mounts, said intermediate link turning relative to said control links during the second motion phase to adjust the extended position of said leg-rest relative to said seat.

2. A multiple position. reclining chair according to claim 1 in which said. intermediate link has an upstanding extension and said actuating link is connected to said extension.

3.. A multiple position reclining chair according to claim 1 in which said intermediate link has a depending extension and said actuatinglink is connectedv to said extension.

4. A reclining chair comprising a support frame, a body-supporting structure including a seat and a back-rest, front and rear guide means mounting the body-supporting unit onr the support frame for movement through a first motion phase from an upright sitting position to an intermediate, tilted sitting position and then through a second motion phase to a fully reclined position, a pair of spaced control links extending forwardly of the chair and mounted at their rear ends at spaced points on the support frame, an intermediate link. extending between and pivotally connected to the forward ends of said control links, said intermediate link and control links constituting a four-b ar linkage, said front, guide means comprising a front guide link pivotally mounted on. said four-bar linkage and pivotally connected to the forward portion of the seat, means supporting. said four-bar linkage in a stationary position during the first motion phase, with the front guide link turning on said stationary four-bar linkage to guide the seat rearwardly, a leg-rest, means mounting the leg-rest on the forward portion of the seat for movement between rear guide meansproviding a fixed pivotal mount for the rear portion of the seat during the second motion phase, the forward portion of the seat rising during the second motion phase and carrying upwardly the front guide link to cause upward turning movement of the control links about their pivotal mounts, said control links being sized to turn the intermediate link relative thereto in a direction inwhich the upper end of the intermediate link moves forwardly and the lower end moves rearwardly during the second motion phase, the actuating link being connected to a selected point on the intermediate link to impart a selected additional component of movement to the actuating link for adjustment of the leg-rest relative to the forward end of the seat during said second motion phase.

5. A reclining chair according to claim 4 in which the actuating link is connected to the upper portion of the intermediate link whereby to impart an additional forward component of movement to the actuating link.

6. A reclining chair according to claim 4 in which the actuating link is connected to the lower portion of the intermediate link whereby to impart an additional rearward component of movement to the actuating link.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,043,621 7/62 Fletcher 297-85 3,087,754 4/63 Fletcher 297-89 FOREIGN PATENTS 793,653 4/58 Great Britain.

FRANK B. SHERRY, PrimaryExaminer. 

1. A MULTIPLE POSITION RECLINING CHAIR COMPRISING A SUPPORT FRAME, A BODY-SUPPORTING STRUCTURE INCLUDING A SEAT AND BACK-REST MOUNTED FOR MOVEMENT THROUGH A FIRST MOTION PHASE FROM AN UPRIGHT SITTING POSITION TO AN INTERMEDIATE, TILTED SITTING POSITION AND THROUGH A SECOND MOTION PHASE TO A FULLY RECLINED POSITION, A PAIR OF SPACED CONTROL LINKS EXTENDING FORWARDLY OF SAID CHIR AND PIVOTALLY MOUNTED AT THEIR REAR ENDS AT SPACED POINTS ON THE SUPPORT FRAME, AN INTERMEDIATE LINK EXTENDING BETWEEN AND PIVOTALLY CONNECTED TO THE FORWARD ENDS OF SAID CONTROL LINKS, THE FIRST OF SAID CONTROL LINKS BEING LOCATED ABOVE THE SECOND CONTROL LINK, THE FIRST CONTROL LINK BEING LONGER THAN THE SECOND CONTROL LINK TO IMPART A CONTROLLING MOVEMENT TO SAID INTERMEDIATE LINK IN WHICH THE UPPER END THEREOF MOVES FORWARDLY AND THE LOWER END MOVES REARWARDLY, SAID INTERMEDIATE LINK AND CONTROL LINKS CONSTITUING A FOUR-BAR LINKAGE, MEANS SUPPORTING SAID FOUR BAR LINKAGE IN A STATIONARY POSITION DURING THE FIRST MOTION PHASE, A PAIR OF GUIDE LINKS POVOTALLY CONNECTED TO SPACED POINTSD ON THE SEAT, THE FRONT GUIDE LINK BEING PIVOTALLY MOUNTED ON THE FOUR-BAR LINKAGE AND THE REAR GUIDE LINK BEING PIVOTALLY MOUNTED ON THE SUPPORT FRAME, A LEG-REST A LEG-REST LINKAGE, CARRYING SAID LEG-REST AND PIVOTALLY MOUNTED ON THE FORWARD END OF THE SEAT, AND AN ACTUATING LINK PIVOTALLY CONNECTED TO SAID INTERMEDIATE LINK AND TO SAAID LEG-REST LINKAGE, SAID LEG-REST LINKAGE BEING MOVABLE REARWARDLY WITH SAID SEAT AND RELATIVE TO THE STATIONARY FOUR-BAR LINKAGE DURING THE FIRST MOTION PHASE TO MOVE SAID LEG-REST TO AN EXTENDED POSITION FORWARDLY OF SAID SEAT, SAID SEAT TURNING UPWARDLY ABOUT SAID REAR GUIDE LINK DURING THE SECOND MOTION PHASE AND CARRYING UPWARDLY SAID FRONT GUIDE LINK TO CAUSE UPWARD TURNING MOVEMENT OF SAID CONTROL LINKS ABOUT THEIR PIVOTAL MOUNTS, SAID INTERMEDIATE LINK TURNING RELATIVE TO SAAID CONTROL LINKS DURING THE SECOND MOTION PHASE TO ADJUST THE EXTENDED POSITION OF SAID LEG-REST RELATIVE TO SAID SEAT. 